When I was 14 years old I had only one prized possession, my skateboard. My neighborhood buddies and I used to tear up the streets of South Miami on our skateboards every day after school and all weekend long. We would practice special jumps and tricks for hours until we had conquered them. On a weekly basis we would skate over to our local skate shop and gawk at all the high end skate decks, trucks (axels), and wheels. Every single time, like clockwork, one of us would start up a debate over the pros and cons to each brand, the best equipment, etc… And it always ended with a short discussion about the perfect “dream board”. We always used to say that someday, when we were rich, we were going to buy the “dream board”. Well, I’m in my mid twenties now, and while I would hardly consider myself to be rich, I could purchase fifty “dream boards” tomorrow. Of course, that’s not really a very compelling dream anymore.
The funny thing is that this shift in paradigms will continue to occur throughout the duration of our lives. What seems like the ultimate goal or dream of today, may not even tickle our fancy one year down the line. Maybe we will achieve the goal sooner then we originally thought, or maybe we will outgrow it all together. I outgrew my skateboard dream… and now ten years later I am again faced with the same dilemma.
When my previous employer offered me an opportunity to return, I was undeniably excited. They basically offered me everything I had yearned for when I was employed there… a damn good salary, a management position, less travel, etc. I only quit because I had pleaded, begged, and waited for some kind of forward movement, but got absolutely no indication that they were even considering it. So, I split and went on to find something that pushed me in a positive direction. Now I’m sitting here six months later and they’re offering me everything that I used to dream about. But I’ve already switched gears, and I’m no longer cruising down the same path. I’ve recently reestablished a new set of goals, and I find myself walking away from yet another dream… only because I’ve reset the bar higher and now dream of something greater. Here’s to the next step…
Stuart says
Thank you. This has helped me let go of one dream that was not moving and to begin to live in the possibilities again. Great site. Keep up the great work.
Catie says
Dearest Marc & Angel,
I’m your no 1 fan from Asia & yes I claim it, #1 haha! Let me just say that thank you isn’t enough – you literally save my life up to this moment. I’ve been battling with depression & I always turn to your site to lighten me up & sure your words resonate with me that much it feels like I am talking to the greatest friend I could ever have. I started reading your blog 2 years ago & now I wanted to start reading from where you guys started.
Let me just share that just like others – I bravely quit my high paying stressful job and now I am starting to build my dreams. It is taking slowly and sometimes it is uncomfortable but I would never maybe go back to the life I once had in the corporate world. Wish me luck & thank you!